Timing device for washing machines



ooo ooo 2 Sheets-Smeer H. W. HUBERS TIMING DEVICE 4FOR WASHING MACHINES Cginal Filed June 6, 1921 May 15, 192s.'

ooo ooo.

May 15, 192s.v 1,669,708

H. W. HUBERS TIMING DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINES Original Filed June 6, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 35 5g 5 2v .l5 2

V /l /25 I7 l n OWN TOR.

u ATTORNEY# Patented May 15, 1928.

g ,r i 1,669,703,

HENRY w. Humans, oF DAVENPon'r, IOWA.`

amine DEVICE ron neming of application serial no. 475,466,

My invention relates 'to timing devices for washingv machines, and is more specially de signed for use in connection with that class of such machine'swhich are electrically operated or controlled, this lapplication being a refiling of my `former application No. 475,468 Bled June 6, 1921. One of the pur poses thereof is to piovide for the automatic interruption of the power devices of the machine at vthe end of a lpredetermined period of time, with associated means lfor varying such period of time lat will.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide means wherebytheoperation of the machine can be manually ystopped for a time,

and started again', without interfering with the period of time for which the machine was originally set, the original period of time beingr held in abeyance while the machine is idle. By this means it will be possible for the yoperator to make chanves in the contents of tlie machine before tlie period has fully run, and then have the operation continue for the unexpired time. i

Another feature of the machine consists in a suitable closure for the mechanism thereof, which is associated with the power interrupting devices in such a vway that whenever such closure is opened the operation of the machine will cease. This will rendery it impossible for young children to become injured by such mechanism.

The particular construction, arrangement, and operation of the various parts of the machine will be more fully understood vfrom the following specification, referencek being had to the drawings .accompanying the same, in which;

` Fig. chine, with a portion of the casing broken away to disclose my invention embodied therein. v

Fig. 2 shows said invention in plan view,

in position when in use. 7

Fig. 3 is a detail of tlie door fastening devices, from the inside ofthe door.`

F ig. 4 is a similar view, from one side thereof.

Figi. 5 is a plan view of said yfastening devices, with a portion of the frame in section. f

The main power mechanism of the machine isnot involvedin the present invention, except in so far as itis controlled b the action ofthe timing devices, so that suoli iled June 6, 19,21.y Serial No. 155,583.

1 is a side elevation of a washing maf WASHING MACHINES;

This application aiedyneinber 17, 192e.

mechanism will not be particularly set forth herein. As will be obvious, the timing devices are capable of adaptation to any washing machine possessing movable parts which have a recurrent action. f 1 represents the frame of awasliing machine of a commonjpatte'rn yand 2 the tub mounted therein.- Pivoted to;` a crossbar 3 as at a, is a rack 4, the teeth of which are in mesh withthe teeth of a gear-wheel 5, (indicated .in broken lines) fixed on a shaft 6, in rear of a. shield 7, ,supported in front of the bar 3. Within the tub the shaft 6 is yfitted with the usual washing mechanism.

Mounted on cross-pieces 8 in the lower part of the framel is amain to which power-may be imparted in any known manner, but preferably from an electric motor, as shown at A, through a belt and'wheel 10 on the shaft 9. The wheel 10 is connected with the rack 4 byk means of .a pitman 11,'whereby a reciprocating movedrive-shaft 9,

ment maybe imparted to such rack, giving Y.

tothe wheel 5 and ment. 1

n The front part of the frame is provided with a door- 12, shown partly broken away in Fig. 1, the Vupper edge of said door, when closed being in contact with a cross-piece 13, and above said door is a plate 14, Yclosing the space abovesaiddoor. Said door and plate are spaced apart from the tub 2, and to theface' of said tub is iixed a vertical shaft17.r Upon the shaft 17 is rotatable a wheel 18, provided on its inner edge with y,an annular series of ratchet teeth'19,fen gaged by the end of'an arm20, pivoted to shaft 6 the desired movethe upper end of ka levery 21, fulcrumed on the plate 15, as at b. vIn the upward movement of the rack 4 the lower vend of the lever 21 is engaged thereby, swinging the same to one side, and causing a tlie'wheel k18 equalling the length offone of the teeth thereon As the rack moves downwardly again the lever 21' returns to its Aformer position, the lever beingprevented from swinging pasta central point by means of a lug 22 thereon, which comes in Contact with a stop 23 on the plate 15.y r

Sec'uredtothe'plate 15 is a bearing 25,

in which is loosely supported a shaft 26, on

which is fixed a toothed wheel 27, the teeth of which are adapted for engagement with movement of y i a spiral rib 29 on the periphery of the wheel i .18. One/complete revolution of the wheel thereby be caused give tothe extent O.

18 will wheel 27 ay partial rotation to the one of the teeth thereof. n y

Supported from the plate 'is aswitchbox 30, provided with a switch-pin 31, such switch being in electrical circuit lwith the power'.actuatingdevices olf' ythe machine,

switch-box` the machine will not be in operation. Fulcrumed on a support 32 fixed to lthe platel is a lever 33, one end of which .is in contact with the end of the switchpin31, and the other end ot which is'adapted for engagement by a. pin 34 projecting inwardly from the .face ofL the wheel 27. When the wheel is suitably rotated the pin comes in contact with the lower side ot the lever 33, rocking the same on its fulcrum-l and causing the opposite end thereof to force the pin .31 downwardly, actuating the switch 3()a in the box 30. is normally in closed position, so that. the circuit will vbe complete in the electrical system of the machine, and the action ofthe ping31 operates -to open'the circuit,and in-y terrupt they movement `of the machine. When the pressure of the lever 33 is removed `from the pin the circuit is again closed. The inner end ofsaid lever is slightly longer than the other end,fso ythat the tendency of such inner end will be to move downwardly,A

relieving the pressure on the pin.

VThe outer end of'theshatt26 is slidable in an opening in the plate 14, and is provided at its outer end with a knob 28q by means of whichitcanrbe rotated. Said wheel can thereby be set with the pin 34 atl y such a position with relation to the lever 33 that in the ordinary operationot themachine a considerable period ottime would l'elapse before the pin would engage the lever.

For example, the wheel could be set with the pin immediately above the lever, as `shown in Fig. 2, in vwhich case they wheel would have .i to 'describe almost acomplete revolution hefor@ the lever would beactuated. In order thatthe wheel 27 may be rotated freely the shaft Itwill be obvious that thewlicel 18 will 'receive-successive impulses from .the recuryrent `action of the 4rack 4, `giving slow r wheel27 contains ycan be set so that the machine will be in rotary movement to such wheel, and 1 that this movementwill be imparted to the wheel. 27, rotating the same at a greatly ,reduced `rate of speed. ,Bythis means the tub mechanism can be permitted tooperate for a usual length of time,vand then be automatically interrupted by thc action of the switch. For example, assuming that the wheel 18 receives aA complete rotation each rminute while the machine is operating, and that the twenty teeth, such wheel y lthe rack 4. so that when the circuit isy broken 1n such y Such switch 26 is-'pulled outwardly, releasing .the teeth of the wheel from engagementjwith the lrib 29.l i

`operation tor lapproxiinately sai'fd yperiod of ,twenty minutes, or for any fractional part thereof. Thelower end of the lever -21 is of sufficient weightyto cause thesaine to swing hack to a normal position from gravity, after the same has been 'disengaged by Supported from the plate 15` isfa bearing 35, on ywhich is rotatably mounted a4 disk 36., provided'with a pin 37 (which is normally in position just above the outer end ot the lever33. "Connectedwith said disk is a pin 38, projecting outwardly through the casing of the machine.; and providedV witha pushj-button 39.; By Jforcing; said pinl 38 inwardly the disk 36 is rotated siilliciently to cause pin 37 to move the lever down wardly,l throwingthe switch'. By this mea-ns the movement of the machine may be v.

interrupted at anytime, for the purposeot attending' to the same, or tothe `contents thereof. By again pulling out the pin the operation of themachifne ,will continue,v and operate forv the balance et the designated' period. It will be evident that severalstops ot this` kind couldbefmade, ity desired, and that the lsum y'total of the operations would amount to an'r voperation for the. desired length of time. A. ,1

The free edgelof the doorv 12 is fittedwith acatch 40, adaptedto be vengaged bythe long end of4 a latch 41, which is pivotally-mounted in the frame, and ythe pivot of "which is it can be turned, Pivotally connectedvw'ith the shortend of the latch 41is a'couplingg ment ot thedisk 36dr`aws the'pushipin38 inwardly, andatt'er the dooiff12 hasbeen` lagrain closed the machine is started'bypu'lling such pin outwardly again. The latch 41 and rod 44 are permitted, a limited amount ofmoveinent independently ofeach .other by means ot a Vstraight portion 45 `ot -the rod which works freely in angopeningr in the coupling 43. The latch can 'thus' be re-` turnedyfrom a vertical to ahorizontal posin tion without moving4 the. rod upwardly, and it is also possible to actuate the disk 36 yby mealilis of the piii "38 without disturbing the late.

When the latchvr 41 is in a'kvertical posiy -tion the pivotal point of the coupling 4 3 l, will be immediately beneathfthe pivot of ythe `provided withI ay knob 42, byineans .of which ino llO

Athe operating` devices which"are.Concealed .by the' door `when it .is closed. yThe moveroosjes latch, locking Vthe disk 36 romirotation. In t-his positionitis impossible to start the machine by means of the pin 38. and there is no danger of the machine being iliadvertently started by pulling` out saidpin while the door is still open. yOn the other hand, if the latch 4l should be-turned by a child when the door is open the machinery will not be set in action, but the additional action of the pin B8 is required.

The disk 36 is provided on that side opposite to the pivotal point of the. rod 14 with a counter-balance 46, whichoii'sets the weight of the rod, rand prevents the same from accidentally vturning the disk and throwing the switch.

The preferred embodimentof the invention yhas been hereinfdisclosed, and changes can be made inA the construction, arrangement, and adaptation thereof without departing from 'the spirit of the invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is; i

1.. In a washing machine, in combination with the frame of the machine and operating mechanism thereof, a toothed wheel rotatably mounted in said machine and provided with a switch actuating member, a cylindrical wheel rotatably supported in said machine having anannular series of ratchet teeth on one of its ends and provided on its periphery With a spiral rib in engagement with the teeth of said first-named wheel, and a swinging lever provided at one of its ends with a pawl in engagement with said ratchet teeth, and capable of receiving intermittent movements at its opposite end from the recurrent action of said operating mechanism.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination with the frame ot the machine and operating mechanism'thereof, va toothed member movable therein and provided with a switch actuating member, a rotatable member provided With a spiral rib in engagement with the teeth of said toothed member and having a series of ratchet teeth at one of its ends, a lever adapted for intermittent action by said operating mechanism, and a pawl connected with said lever and in engagement with said ratchet teeth, saidv toothed member being,r capable of movement with relation to said rotatable member to free the same from the spiral rib thereon, and permit free movement of said toothed member.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination with the frame of the machine and operating mechanism thereof, an electrical circuit breaking device mounted therein, a. lever fulcrumed in said machine and adapted to actuate said circuit breaking device, a toothed wheel rotatably mounted and' provided with means for operating said lever, a cylindrical wheel rocperating mechanism, and

tatably mounted in said machine, with its axis at right angles with the axis of said toothed wheel, a lever fulcrumedin said machine and adapted to be -intermittently actuated by the recurrent movements of said means for iinpartingvthe movement `of said lever to said cylindrical wheel toy give partial rotary` movements thereto.

4. In a' device of the classv described, in combination with the frame of the'machine and operating mechanism thereof, a switchthrowing member movably mounted in said machine, atoothedk wheel rotatably mounted in said machine and provided with means for actuating said switch-throwing member, a cylindrical wheel rotatably mounted in said machine, provided on its periphery twith a spiral rib in engagement with the teeth of said toothed wheel, said last-named 'wheel being capable of movement'with relation to said cylindrical Wheel to free the `same from said spiral rib, a lever fulcrumedin sai-d machine so a-s'to receive intermittent movement from said 'operating mechanism, means for y imparting the movement of said lever to said cylindrical wheel to impart successive partial rotations thereto, a movable member adapted to actuate said switch-throwing member independently of said toothed wheel mechanism, and mea-ns for operating said movable member from the outside of the machine. f

5. In a device of the class described, in combination with the frame of the machine and operating mechanism thereof, an electrical switch provided with a switch-actuat- .pin, a lever fulcrumed in said machine having one of its ends in engagement with said pin, a toothed Wheel rotatably mounted in said machine, and provided with a member adapted for engagement with. the opposite end of said lever, a cylindrical wheel rotatably mounted, having an annular series of ratchet teeth and provided with a spiral rib in engagement with the teeth of said toothed wheel, said toothed wheel being capable of movement with relation to said cylindrical wheel to free the same from the rib thereon, a. swinging member adapted to receive intermittent movements' from said operating mechanism, and provided With a pawl in engagement with said ratchet teeth, a disk r0- t-atably mounted in said machine, and provided with means for actuating said switchoperating lever independently of said toothed Wheel mechanism, and a push-rod connected with said disk and projected Without the machine.

6.*In a device of the class described, in combination with the frame of the machine and operating mechanism thereof, an electrical switch provided with a switch-actuating pin, a switch actuating lever fulerumed in said machine, a toothed wheel rotatably mounted in 'said machineandprovided With means for actuating said lever; a Wheel rotatably mounted in said machine yand provided with a spiral rib normally in engagement with the teeth of said Wheel, said toothed' Wheel being capable of movement with relation to saidsecond-named Wheel so asjto free the same from said rib, a member swingingly mounted in said machine sol as to lreceive intermittent movement from said operating mechanism, means-for imparting: the movement'of said last-named member to said ribbed Wheel to give successive partial rotations thereto, a hinged closure orsaid machine, a latch on ysaid iframe, adapted to hold `said closure in aclosedposition, and means for imparting the movement of said latch to 1 said switch-actuating lever to operate the same upon said latch being'fturned to open the door.

7. Ina device of the class described, in combination With the frame of themachine and operating mechanism thereof, a'switch operating device, a lever fulcrumed in said `machine and operatively associated With said -switch-operat1ng device, a toothed Wheel vr0- tatably mounted in said machine and provided with means for actuating said'lever,

a cylindricalwvheel rotatably supported' and p provided with a spiral rib normally in engagement with the teeth of said Wheel, said toothed Wheel beingmovable with relation to said `cylindrical Wheel to free the samet'rom said rib, a movable member adapted to receive intermittent movements from said operating mechanism, and operatively connected with said cylindrical Wheel to impart'y in closed position, andmeans forimparting the movement of said latchto said disk to operate said. switch lthrowing vdeviceupon said latch being moved to release-said closure. l n i p m VIn testimony whereof I affixmy signature.

` p HENRY W.v 4HUBERS. 

